Top seven makeup must-haves
Women love makeup. So much that they never throw anything away, even the congealed four-year-old nail polish at the bottom of their vanity kit. Nykaa thinks it's time for a lesson on makeup back-to-basics, so here's a list of seven products that will instantly beautify your mornings. What's more, they're perfectly portable as well. Just throw them into your hand bag for some instant pretty.
Barely there foundation
An absolute essential for those with less-than-perfect skin. Go instant flawless with just a dab. First cleanse and moisturize, then dot all over your face and blend well with your index finger. Now the tricky part: how do I find the right shade? Swipe a few different shades near your jawline and blend. The one that's barely visible is the one for you. Find your shade from Lakme Absolute Mattreal Skin Natural Mousse 16hr, Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation or Street Wear Stay On 3-in-1 Makeup.
Tips to get it right
Stick foundations are convenient to use on problem areas and there's no danger of spills. Tinted moisturizers work best for humid weather when a heavier formulation can weigh skin down. Powder or cream-to-powder foundations work best for normal to oily skins, creamy formulas for dry skin. Liquid foundations and mousses look great on all skin types, but look for a water-based formulation if you're prone to break outs.
Super compacts
Face powders are a girl's best friend. Compacts like Deborah Ultra Fine Powder With Mineral Oligo Elements, Lakme Flawless Matte Complexion Compact and Maybelline Dream Matte Pressed Powder are wonderfully versatile. They can give a smooth glow and are great for the occasional touchup when shine gets the better of you. It also helps set foundation so it last longer and helps conceal open pores, another bane of sunny days.
Tips to get it right
Take your pick from loose or pressed compacts. Loose formulas like Street Wear Crystal Shine Face Brightener Loose Powder work best if you want a gentle, ‘unmade’ porcelain finish. But if you’re active and sporty, the matte look of pressed powders like Revlon PhotoReady Compact Makeup may be ideal for you. Just remember to clean applicator brushes regularly to prevent the transfer of oils from skin on to the powder. Like foundations, choose a shade that blends seamlessly into your skin for a soft, glowing feel.
Conceal to perfection
Concealers are a great way of getting hiding dark circles, pigmentation and untimely zits. Nykaa loves Revlon PhotoReady Concealer and Colorbar Full Cover Concealer. Sure, it's just a temporary fix but a little practice can give the perfect finish. Sadly, finding the right concealer is one of those seemingly insolvable mysteries of the makeup universe. Should it be lighter than your complexion? Do you test it on the pad of your thumb or around your nose?
Tips to get it right
Finding your shade is actually deceptively simple. Nykaa makeup expert Ojas Rajani says first find your right foundation shade. “Apply several swipes of different shades on your freshly washed, unmade-up face just above the jawline. Buy the shade that disappears into your skin. Then select a concealer that’s just one shade lighter than the foundation.” Use your ring finger to gently dab concealer on. Allow it to get absorbed and then carefully blend in the edges. The trick is light pressure. Rub too hard and you’ll rub the product off.
Become a blushing beauty
The perfect tool to contour your face and play up your best features. Just remember, the right blush and application, should make you look like you're blushing, not wearing blush. For the most natural look, start with lighter shades and skip shimmer. Brown-black eyes look great with berry hues. Stay away from neutrals and browns because they tend to blend into the yellow undertones of your eyes, making you look drab and dull. Meanwhile, peachy or icy pinks look great with hazel, gray peepers. Take your pick from Revlon Photo Ready Sculpting Blush Palette, Street Wear Stay On Blush or Lakme Pure Rouge Blusher.
